Harpa opened on May 4, 2011 with a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. "Harpa" is Icelandic for "harp" and is also a female name in Iceland.

Harpa opened on May 4, 2011 with a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. "Harpa" is Icelandic for "harp" and is also a female name in Iceland.

Photo: Ari Magg/Harpa

Image 5 of 40

Cidade das Artes, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by Atelier Christian de Portzamparc. Completed in January 2013. The building, in the new district of Barra da Tijuca, has multiple halls accessed from a public terrace. less

Cidade das Artes, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by Atelier Christian de Portzamparc. Completed in January 2013. The building, in the new district of Barra da Tijuca, has multiple halls accessed from a public ... more

Photo: Osmar Carioca/Wikimedia Commons, Emporis

Image 6 of 40

Walt Disney Concert Hall, in Los Angeles, by Gehry Partners. Completed
in 2005. The hall "has the appearance of curved metal plates piled into
one other and which, some round and others sharp-cornered, make the
design look like an outlandish fantasy on the part of the architect –
and yet combine to create a harmonious effect overall," Emporis wrote.
The building's stainless steel facade was sandblasted because its glare
was distracting drivers and area residents. less

Walt Disney Concert Hall, in Los Angeles, by Gehry Partners. Completed
in 2005. The hall "has the appearance of curved metal plates piled into
one other and which, some round and others sharp-cornered, make ... more

Photo: Adrianna Williams, Getty Images

Image 7 of 40

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale.

The building includes two separate performance spaces: a 1,600-seat symphony hall and an 1,800-seat ballet hall.

The building includes two separate performance spaces: a 1,600-seat symphony hall and an 1,800-seat ballet hall.

Photo: Nightryder84/Wikimedia Commons

Image 10 of 40

Here's an interior view of one of the halls.

Here's an interior view of one of the halls.

Photo: Nightryder84/Wikimedia Commons

Image 11 of 40

National Centre for the Performing Arts, in Beijing, by Paul Andreu. Completed in 2007.

National Centre for the Performing Arts, in Beijing, by Paul Andreu. Completed in 2007.

Photo: Andy Wong, AP

Image 12 of 40

The building is nicknamed "The Giant Egg," but also resembles a "stranded UFO," according to Emporis.

The building is nicknamed "The Giant Egg," but also resembles a "stranded UFO," according to Emporis.

Photo: Fanghong/WIkimedia Commons

Image 13 of 40

It contains an opera house, concert hall and two theaters.

It contains an opera house, concert hall and two theaters.

Photo: Rolfmueller/Wikimedia Commons

Image 14 of 40

Auditorio de Tenerife Adan Martin, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, by Santiago Calatrava. Inaugurated on Sept. 26, 2003. "The 50-meter-high overhanging roof is intended to give the impression of animal-like movement and flexibility," Emporis wrote. less

Auditorio de Tenerife Adan Martin, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, by Santiago Calatrava. Inaugurated on Sept. 26, 2003. "The 50-meter-high overhanging roof is intended to give the impression of animal-like ... more

Photo: Jose Eliécer Garcia Arango/flickr, Emporis

Image 15 of 40

El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, in Valencia, Spain, by Santiago Calatrava. The two steel shells covering the building weigh more than 3,000 tons.

El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, in Valencia, Spain, by Santiago Calatrava. The two steel shells covering the building weigh more than 3,000 tons.

Photo: Valencia Blue/Wikimedia Commons, Emporis

Image 16 of 40

Inside El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia.

Inside El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia.

Photo: Santangelino/Wikimedia Commons

Image 17 of 40

Casa da Musica, in Porto, Portugal, by Office for Metropolitan Architecture. Inaugurated on April 15, 2005.

Casa da Musica, in Porto, Portugal, by Office for Metropolitan Architecture. Inaugurated on April 15, 2005.

Sage Gateshead, in Gateshead, England, by Foster + Partners. Completed in 2004. In contrast to the "scuttling bug" in Singapower, the Sage Gateshead "appears more like a glass caterpillar," Emporis wrote.

Sage Gateshead, in Gateshead, England, by Foster + Partners. Completed in 2004. In contrast to the "scuttling bug" in Singapower, the Sage Gateshead "appears more like a glass caterpillar," Emporis wrote.

Photo: Ian Britton, FreeFoto.com

Image 22 of 40

Interior of the Sage Gateshead houses three concert halls.

Interior of the Sage Gateshead houses three concert halls.

Photo: Hans Peter Schaefer/Wikimedia Commons

Image 23 of 40

Heydar Aliyev Center, in Baku, Azerbaijan, by Zaha Hadid Architects. Opened on May 10, 2012. "The white building's curved, wave-like shape makes it seem as if it has been 'poured' into the landscape," according to Emporis. less

Heydar Aliyev Center, in Baku, Azerbaijan, by Zaha Hadid Architects. Opened on May 10, 2012. "The white building's curved, wave-like shape makes it seem as if it has been 'poured' into the landscape," according ... more

Photo: Eugene Leung/flickr, Emporis

Image 24 of 40

President Ilham Aliyev named the building after his late father, who was also a president of Azerbaijan. These cars reportedly belonged to dad.

President Ilham Aliyev named the building after his late father, who was also a president of Azerbaijan. These cars reportedly belonged to dad.

Photo: Interfase/Wikimedia Commons

Image 25 of 40

Kilden Performing Arts Centre, in Kristiansand, Norway, by ALA Architects, SMS Arkitekter. The building contains four performance halls for three organizations: Opera South, the Agder Theater and the Kristiansand Philharmonic. less

Kilden Performing Arts Centre, in Kristiansand, Norway, by ALA Architects, SMS Arkitekter. The building contains four performance halls for three organizations: Opera South, the Agder Theater and the ... more

It opened on March 1, 2009, with a performance of Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute."

It opened on March 1, 2009, with a performance of Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute."

Photo: Gabi Weinert/flickr, Emporis

Image 28 of 40

Philharmonie, in Berlin, by Hans Scharoun. Completed in 1963. The building "originally had an unadventurous ocher facade, (but) was re-clad in the 1980s in golden yellow aluminum, turning it for good into an extravagant Berlin landmark," Emporis wrote. less

Philharmonie, in Berlin, by Hans Scharoun. Completed in 1963. The building "originally had an unadventurous ocher facade, (but) was re-clad in the 1980s in golden yellow aluminum, turning it for good into an ... more

Photo: Michael Hierner, Emporis

Image 29 of 40

The building features a 2,440-seat great hall and 1,180-seat music hall.

The building features a 2,440-seat great hall and 1,180-seat music hall.

Photo: Gryffindor/Wikimedia Commons

Image 30 of 40

Uppsala Konsert & Kongress, in Uppsala, Sweden, by Henning Larsens Tegnestue. Opened in 2007. Features an 1,140-seat main hall and three smaller halls.

Uppsala Konsert & Kongress, in Uppsala, Sweden, by Henning Larsens Tegnestue. Opened in 2007. Features an 1,140-seat main hall and three smaller halls.

Photo: Michel Adamek/flickr, Emporis

Image 31 of 40

Elbphilharmonie, in Hamburg, by Herzog & de Meuron Architekten. Scheduled for completion in 2016. The hall is being built atop a former storage facility completed in 1966.

Elbphilharmonie, in Hamburg, by Herzog & de Meuron Architekten. Scheduled for completion in 2016. The hall is being built atop a former storage facility completed in 1966.

Photo: Daniel Schuldt, Emporis

Image 32 of 40

One that didn't make Emporis' list is the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in Philadelphia, by Rafael Vinoly Architects.

One that didn't make Emporis' list is the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in Philadelphia, by Rafael Vinoly Architects.

Photo: Beyond My Ken/Wikimedia Commons

Image 33 of 40

The Kimmel Center includes two auditoriums and a roof garden. It opened in 2001.

The Kimmel Center includes two auditoriums and a roof garden. It opened in 2001.

Photo: Post Photo/David W. Keyes

Image 34 of 40

Also not on the list was Den Norske Opera & Ballett, also known as the Oslo Opera House, in Oslo, Norway, by Snohetta. Completed in 2008. The building descends more than 50 feet below sea level and is clad in Carrara marble. The roofs are open to the public. less

Also not on the list was Den Norske Opera & Ballett, also known as the Oslo Opera House, in Oslo, Norway, by Snohetta. Completed in 2008. The building descends more than 50 feet below sea level and is clad ... more

Photo: Ignaz Wiradi/Wikimedia Commons

Image 35 of 40

The Oslo Opera House has a main auditorium and smaller performance space.

The Oslo Opera House has a main auditorium and smaller performance space.

Photo: Bjørn Erik Pedersen/Wikimedia Commons

Image 36 of 40

Here's the main auditorium.

Here's the main auditorium.

Photo: Haros/Wikimedia Commons

Image 37 of 40

Of course, you can't get away without mentioning the iconic Sydney Opera House, in Sydney, Australia, designed by Jorn Utzon.

Of course, you can't get away without mentioning the iconic Sydney Opera House, in Sydney, Australia, designed by Jorn Utzon.

Photo: George Rose, Getty Images

Image 38 of 40

Queen Elizabeth II opened the Sydney Opera House on October 20, 1973.

Queen Elizabeth II opened the Sydney Opera House on October 20, 1973.

Photo: John O'Neill (jjron) , John O'Neill/Wikimedia Commons

Image 39 of 40

More than 2 million people a year attend performances in the Sydney Opera House.

More than 2 million people a year attend performances in the Sydney Opera House.

Photo: Jason7825/Wikimedia Commons

Image 40 of 40

The world's most distinctive concert halls

1 / 40

Back to Gallery

Seattle's Benaroya Hall is nice and all, but isn't among the "most spectacular" concert halls in the world, according to a new list.

"Be they home to opera, ballet or musicals, modern concert halls no longer just rely on outstanding performances: These days they also have remarkable architecture offering audiences a great show even before they have taken their seats," building website Emporis wrote. "Working from the designs of renowned star architects, more and more concert halls are being built that stand out by virtue of their eye-catching shapes, colors and materials."

Click through the gallery above to see the halls that made the list, and a couple of notable ones that didn't.